Stimulus used for Ebike purchase.

[Hersbird]

I had built an outlaw ebike a few years ago. It's capable of 3000 watts and is 100% throttle controlled with a 35 mph+ top speed, but that makes it illegal for bike paths in town. I haven't used it much on the roads because I want to go on old logging roads in the mountains and I don't have any friends with ebikes and have just been busy at work anyway. So we had some cash saved up anyway for some remodeling projects, and knowing we have some more coming with the stimulus, I figured I'd get a 2nd, legal class 2 bike I can ride to work using the bike paths and then have a bike my wife, daughters, or most likely my son-in-law can use and go camping, fishing, hunting with me.

I got the Radrunner 1 from Rad bikes in Seattle. It's base price is $1,199 with free shipping and you can get up to $100 off one of the accessories. I chose the $89 fender kit but then also found they give $200 off for first responders or veterans so I got that (although it wouldn't stack the free fenders so I had to pay for those). Bottom line $1,103 (because under $1100 there was a $15 shipping fee? but whatever). Seems good, 750 watt geared Bafang hub motor, 48v 14 Ah battery, aluminum frame, disc brakes, Kendra puncture resistant tires, headlight, tail/brake light, built in rear rack good for over 100 pounds. It was pretty well assembled and came in good shape. The rear fender was a pain putting on with the wheel in place, and there was a Allen screw holding some kind of axle keeper or torque arm in place that seemed to want to strip out it was so tight so I just left the back wheel on and worked in the inch gap left to get the fender bolted on.

Hopefully I will stop freaking snowing in April here! I haven't driven it further than around the block.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=_FBnTrK6s4w

[oil pan 4]

Is it made in china?

[redpoint5]

Seems a good use for the check, though it seems you've counted your chickens before they hatched. Probably a safe assumption though. Top of the line electric unicycles can cost more than that.

I just watched a Doug review of the Model Y, and it's very tempting to me, though I'm against dropping $40k on a vehicle in principle, even if I can "afford" it.

Gonna need something though as some newbs broke my mini-Segway. They thought if you jump off it, it would stop on its own. Instead, boulders did.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Is it made in china?

Just like an Iphone. But if it's not assembled there, all of the parts come from there, or Taiwan. They do have over 150 employees in the Seattle/Portland area, maybe they do some assembly. At least they stock all the parts there because it was a 3 day shipping and those big batteries can't fly.

[Hersbird]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Seems a good use for the check, though it seems you've counted your chickens before they hatched. Probably a safe assumption though. Top of the line electric unicycles can cost more than that.

I just watched a Doug review of the Model Y, and it's very tempting to me, though I'm against dropping $40k on a vehicle in principle, even if I can "afford" it.

Gonna need something though as some newbs broke my mini-Segway. They thought if you jump off it, it would stop on its own. Instead, boulders did.

I had 10 grand just sitting for new floors and a bathroom remodel that's on hold now with the shutdowns, so maybe I jumped a bit, but that money should be here by the end of April. I'm also working crazy hours at the Post Office, there is no slowdown in mail at all at least here, probably higher than average spring volume, but we are getting more sick calls. Anybody has even the slightest anything, they stay home, although we don't have a single positive test in our office. That might change as we are probably a month behind other areas and we shut the state down 2 weeks ago anyway.

[redpoint5]

Missoula is not exactly the hotbed that Manhattan is.

I'm uncertain if I'll qualify for a stimulus payment. I'd just invest it anyhow, so not putting it to the use it's intended, though I would like to start a business one day or get into property development.

[jjackstone]

It's a shame you can't use the federal tax credit on it also. It is, after all, an electric vehicle.
JJ

[Hersbird]

Well I like it but my wife not so much. I don't think I can get her back to riding bikes again. My 14yo daughter is a bit apprehensive about it's speed. I told her she doesn't have to go any faster than her regular single speed cruiser goes, but she says it feels like she should. Oh well, maybe with some more practice. I like it and I sure can use it to commute. Hopefully Monday my Son in law can try it. I also got this BikeWing 4 place hitch rack. It's only rated 40 pounds per bike and the Ebikes without batteries are more like 50 pounds for the Rad and 60 pounds, but the overall weight rating is 180 pounds so hopefully the welds hold.

[Grant-53]

E-bikes shine in stop and go traffic. Weight is a limiting factor in hilly terrain or on trails. All vehicles benefit from aero drag reduction. I don't have secure ground level storage so my options are limited.

[roosterk0031]

Was leaning toward a Curt 4 bike platform but cost more than that one and I'd have to buy 2 bigger hoops for my Mongoose Hitch. Haven't watch the etrailer video on that one yet but will before I purchase.